MOTORISTS are advised to plan ahead from June 29 for a week when the A48 at Newnham is resurfaced.

Gloucestershire County Council says after years of heavy use the surface is in need of repair.

More that 800 tonnes of new material will be laid in Newnham 200m north of Unlawater Lane for a distance of 500m.

The road will be closed between 9.30am and 3.30pm each week day and a signed diversion will in place via Elton Corner, Littledean, Speech House, Parkend and Lydney.

The road will be open at all other times so traffic will not be affected during the morning rush hour, in the evenings, at night times or at weekends.

School buses will not be affected by the closure.

Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles at all times.

Local businesses will be open as usual and pedestrian access will be possible.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: “Our resurfacing repairs on the A48 will greatly improve this major route through the county. Our working times will avoid the rush hour queues but we’re still asking drivers to plan their journeys well in advance.

“I’d like to thank drivers and the residents in Newnham for their patience. We’ll do all we can to keep disruption to a minimum.”

The work is scheduled to finish on Thursday, July 7.